Local Fifth-Grader Lends a Helping Hand

Most fifth-grade boys spend their time riding skate boards and playing video games.

Though Ibrahim Zori enjoys those activities, he is also interested in helping others.

“I just had to do it,” Zori said.

When Zori learned about the boys at St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS), he embarked on a self-assigned mission to do what he could to help.

After reading about the organization’s move from downtown St. Augustine to the campus on U.S.1 South, the first thing Ibrahim did was go through all of his toys.

He kept bugging his mom, Sharon, to make the trip to the SAYS campus to give them to the boys.

“It is easy to take for granted all the things you have when others don’t have as much,” Zori said.

The individual toy drive was just the beginning though.

To help raise money for SAYS, Zori created several donation cans and placed them in locations around St. Augustine.

He wants to raise enough money for SAYS to refurbish an old house they recently bought adjacent to their new facility. The house will be turned into transitional housing units for the boys who age out of the SAYS program.

“I was so impressed from the first time I met this amazing young man,” said Schuyler Siefker, SAYS Executive Director. “Each time I see him I am more amazed at his maturity and true caring for the boys we serve. His commitment is truly inspiring.”

Ibrahim attends Hartley Elementary School where he loves reading adventure biographies and enjoys playing basketball and football. His plans for the future include college and then medical school. He wants to become an herbal and medical doctor.

A residential therapeutic group home for boys, SAYS is currently celebrating 25 years of serving children who have suffered some type of trauma or abuse.

For information or to make a donation, call 501-1920 or go to sayskids.org.